Chelsea will turn their attention to Arsenal's Samir Nasri if they fail to land number one target Luka Modric.
Modric returned to Spurs today from his holiday in native Croatia where, it just so happens that Roman Abramovic had his yacht berthed to be restocked with food and drink.
Modric is expected to tell the Spurs boss harry Redknapp that he wants to leave the north Londoners.
Spurs has so far rejected Chelsea overtures to speak to the player, so they will rely on the Croatian midfielder to hand in a transfer request.
But Chelsea have back-up plans and that involves chasing unsettled Arsenal midfielder Nasri.
The ace in the pack for the Blues could be offering in part exchange Salomon Kalou.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a long-term admirer of the Ivory Coast striker and might well see it as a good bit of business.
But much will depend of the fate of wantaway Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas is expected to join Barcelona and Wenger will be loath to lose two influencial midfielders so close together.
However, it does appear as if both will leave this summer - Nasri has also being chased by Manchester City and Manchester United.
But it's the Blues offer of Kalou that could tip the balance in their favour.